Playwriting 101

AGENDA:

How to write a play:

https://www.education.com/magazine/article/playwriting-101/

READING:  Take 10

Writing:  Work on dialogue scene

Dialogue--Short scene

AGENDA:

More Durang!


Improv starters:

1. Excuse me, ma’am. I need to return this shirt for a refund.
2. Miss, I am afraid I did not order a hot dog for dinner.
3. Look, I know you hate this, but we need at least one good photo of you.
4. So, Jordan, please explain why Paul’s homework was in your backpack.
5. Officer, please, no! Don’t give me a speeding ticket!
6. Do you think Mother would like this crown or the silver one?
7. Oh! It is such an honor to meet you! Could I get your autograph for my daughter?
8. Sir, your suitcase will not fit in the overhead bin.
9. I think our cheer needs a better jump and some words that rhyme with "team."
10. Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome today’s guest—Pat Perkins—an expert on how to organize your desk!
11. Look, my muscles are killing me! Can’t we take a break from this workout?
12. Just rip the paper off! I can’t wait for you to see this totally unique gift!
13. Excuse me, ma’am. Is that dinosaur skeleton real or is it just a model?
14. Well, this is what we’ve been training for—the Olympics! Are you ready to earn that gold medal?
15. I think these shoes make my feet look far too big. Please get me a different pair.
16. Ugh! All the other parents let their kids see PG-13 movies! You’ve just got to let me go!
17. All you have to do is step-kick-step-kick-step-kick. Now try it with me.
18. Behind us is the U.S. Capitol Building, and over there, you’ll see the Washington Monument.
19. It’s just a little tattoo on my arm! Dad has one! I don’t see why you are so upset!
20. Mr. Higgins, please tell our viewers how you plan to spend your lottery winnings!
21. I understand you were an eyewitness to the skateboard theft. Please tell our viewers what you saw.
22. Oh, I am so sorry, but pumpkin spice latte season ended yesterday! What other drink can I get you?
23. Did you honestly think that a trail of breadcrumbs would help us find our way out of the forest and back to our house?
24. Stop right there. You are not leaving this house dressed like that!
25. Halt right there! You are not leaving this palace dressed like that!
26. Your teacher tells me that your classroom behavior is inappropriate. What is your side of the story?
27. I am so sorry, but your credit card has been declined. I’ll need another form of payment.
28. O woe! O pity! There is no way we shall ever reach the castle by dark!
29. Ew! I thought you said you could cook!

Christopher Durang

AGENDA:

Go to library for books.

One-act Plays:

READ: Christopher Durang "DMV Tyrant"  "Funeral Parlor" "Actors Nightmare"

http://www.christopherdurang.com/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsysNVQHnQs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OIwcRAid1o

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfDyTUiL8xs&t=108s

Laughing Wild monologgue:

pdf:  https://www.dailyactor.com/monologues/Laughing-Wild-Woman.pdf
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ee_8E_BlRKo

HMWK:  Read "Actor's Nightmare"

Monologue

AGENDA:

What is a monologue?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfIGqK0FGMo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRuiavPvS5o

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXpQ0Zou6OU

Exercise: The Monologue

ONE: Dealing with the Past

It is a common practice with monologues that a character relates a past story in order to illuminate something that is currently happening the plot of the play.

The problem with these types of monologues is when a character says, "I remember." "I remember" creates an insular experience; it's something that only happened to the character and it's difficult for the audience to share in the event. The audience doesn't remember.

Another problem with past monologues is the use of the past tense. When something has happened in the past, it's over, it's done. Using the present tense is much more alive and active.

EXERCISE

1. Write a monologue where the first line is 'I remember when...' and uses the past tense. Have a character talk about a childhood memory that has significant impact on how they are today.
2. Re-write the monologue, taking out all mentions of 'remembering.' Just tell the story.
3. Re-write the monologue in the present tense.
4. Read aloud the first version and then the third. Discuss the differences.

TWO: Making the Story Count

If a character tells a story in a monologue - "I went to the grocery store and THIS JUST HAPPENED," there has to be something besides the base story going on for the audience. There has to be more. The story has to show something: a character flaw, a plot point we didn't know, a lie, a romance, and so on.

EXERCISE

1. Write a monologue where the character tells a story about going to a parade.
2. Re-write the monologue so that by telling the story, the audience sees the character is a liar.
3. Re-write the monologue so that by telling the story, the audience sees the character is heartbroken.
4. Re-write the monologue so that by telling the story, the audience sees the character is in love.

THREE: The Need to Speak

In every monologue a character must 'need to speak.' Otherwise, why is the monologue there? In every monologue you write, you must determine the need for the character to speak. What drives the character? Is there anything that stands in the way of the character's need to speak? The character doesn't necessarily have to succeed with what they need. Maybe they're too afraid, or they change their mind, or there's something stopping them. Obstacles are good! But start with the need and then see what happens.

EXERCISE

Choose one of the following needs. What kind of character would have that need? Give them a name, an age, and a physical appearance. Who are they talking to? Who is the listener? What is the relationship? Decide if your character will succeed or fail with their need. Now write the monologue.

1. The character needs to reveal a secret to the listener.
2. The character needs to prove something to the listener.
3. The character needs to reveal they love the listener.
4. The character needs to reveal they hate the listener.
5. The character needs to stand up to the listener.

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=how+to+write+a+dramatic+monologue&view=detail&mid=A2ED1B0F5F2C76364589A2ED1B0F5F2C76364589&FORM=VIRE2&adlt=strict

http://www.monologuegenie.com/monologue-writing-101.html

Prose Poems

AGENDA:

Consider writing a prose poem.  Here are some examples:

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/browse#page=1&sort_by=recently_added&filter_poetry_teens=1&forms=281

Go to this website to study for TEST on Thursday!

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/browse#page=1&sort_by=recently_added&filter_poetry_teens=1